French Lavenders

Lavandula x Intermedia (FRENCH lavenders)

Cathy Blanc

This relatively new variety of lavender is similar to White Spike Lavandin, but actual plants are more compact and the flower petals are a brighter shade of white with pink tint. The plant normally grows three to four feet tall with 18” – 24” stems.

Origin: possibly from The Herb Farm, Seal, Kent, England, 1960’s.

Gros Bleu

This new cultivar from France is becoming popular throughout the Pacific Northwest. The flower heads have a deep, almost navy blue colour making it excellent for fresh or dried bouquets. ‘Gros Bleu’ has a darker color than the popular ‘Grosso’ variety of lavender. Its scent is a light, clean lavender fragrance.

Origin: Chambre d’Agriculture Farm, France.

Grosso

The bloom habit of ‘Grosso’ creates an almost perfect 180-degree dome, like a hedgehog. It is a commercial, all-purpose plant that is very hardy. Its long stems are excellent for dried bouquets and potpourris. This variety has the highest oil content of all lavenders which is why it has become the most widely used lavender variety for oil production in the world.

Origin: Pierre Grosso, Vaucluse, France, about 1972.

Hidcote Giant

This is a distinctive lavandin because of its growing habits and the amazingly large and plump flower heads that are a rich deep lavender-purple in colour with a strong fragrance. This plant is excellent for dried bundles, potpourris and more. The stems are normally between 18″ to 24″ inches tall and the overall height reaches 36” to 42” – good for hedging.

Origin: Major Johnston, Hidcote Manor, England, 1957.

Provence

This variety is also known as French lavender and is one of the largest lavandins. Provence features very long stems 24” to 30”, dense and full spikes that are wonderful for fresh bouquets, lavender wands, potpourri and culinary purposes. The aroma is milder and sweeter than other lavenders. Its overall height ranges between 48” to 60”.

Origin: Alpenglow Gardens, British Columbia, 1950’s.

Seal

This is one of the largest varieties of lavender. In fact, the plant may grow to almost three feet wide. It has a very good scent and is one of the best for making potpourri and fresh bouquets. This variety features fan-like growth of stems. Flowers are a rich mauve and can last up to four months. Seal is one of the first lavenders to bloom in spring.

Origin: The Herb Farm, Seal, Kent, England, 1980’s

Super

This is one of the most elegant lavandins. It has the best perfume of all the hybrid lavenders, close to that of the English lavender parent; yields high-quality essential oil. It has gray-green foliage with light purple flowers. A large plant growing to a height of 48” to 52” – flowers in early summer.

Origin: Etablissements Chiris, France, around 1956.

White Spike

This variety features creamy white, highly fragrant blossoms that are excellent in both fresh and dried arrangements. Plants bloom in mid-summer and provide great contrast in landscaped areas.